Delta Tau Delta - Ball State University

we have implemented mandatory study tables for active members throughout the week. With campus back to normal, recruitment was a success. Recruitment week was engaging; the campus was more organized with in-person events happening. We had 19 men accept bids and 17 recently became active members of the Epsilon Mu Chapter. New members were also required to attend study tables at both the library and the Shelter, where they could ask brothers for help in their classes. "I think the recruitment process went pretty well. This fall, we collected a great group of guys that like to get out and get active within our fraternity and on campus," Corey Sims '23, pledge educator, said. "The recruitment process went well this year; numbers were up and guys were involved. We were finally able to host in-person events instead of having recruitment over Zoom, which was an amazing experience," Tanner Williams '24, recruitment chairman, said. "This group of guys are well-rounded men who are leaders and trendsetters, and I am very excited to see them excel in the house and in school!" We paired with Delta Zeta for fall Homecoming 2021 and it was an event-packed week; Monday was speed dating, Tuesday was pumpkin carving, Wednesday was a cookout and basketball, and Thursday was Air Jam! The Air Jam team was amazing, but we sadly lost by eight votes. We hosted a final party Friday night and tailgated at the game on Saturday. Campus and outside organization involvement took an outstanding turn this semester. More than 10 members joined the golf club. 2 THE IRIS W ith campus back to normal at Ball State University, Epsilon Mu Chapter has restored traditions and participated in school events that many of our members have not been able to experience. Watermelon Bust with Alpha Chi Omega, Homecoming with Delta Zeta, and in-person recruitment have restored or introduced the college experience to the members of Delta Tau Delta at Ball State. The annual philanthropy event, Watermelon Bust, returned this year, and we continued the tradition of hosting this event with Alpha Chi Omega. We had a record-breaking number of 100 pre-sign up teams. Bust took place on September 11, and we had a local fire department stop by for a moment of silence to honor the lives lost in those devastating events. The games for this event included a dunk tank, watermelon slip and slide, tug of war, relay races, trash can pong, and a DJ for extra energy. We successfully raised over $11,000, and our proceeds will be going to JDRF, which is our national philanthropic partner that supports juvenile type 1 diabetes. Epsilon Mu Chapter completed over 500 service hours for this event, and we really appreciate all the help and support from alumni with Bust. "Watermelon Bust was an extraordinary success coming out of the pandemic. It was a day filled with fun and lasting memories. Of course, none of this would be possible without our sponsors and alumni," Oliver Deck '23, internal vice president, said. "It was a blast working with Alpha Chi Omega, and they did a tremendous job helping out. I'd like to give a special thanks to Wade Baertschi '11 for all of his time and effort that went into making this an amazing event." Epsilon Mu Chapter has taken initiative to increase the overall GPA for the chapter this fall. The IFC ranking will be released at the end of the semester, and we are anticipating improvement from previous semesters. In order to improve, Restoring Delta Tau Delta worked alongside Alpha Chi Omega to host the 48th annual Watermelon Bust Festival. It certainly wasn't a bust and everyone had a fantastic time supporting good causes! I realize that those who have drifted away could benefit our young proteges immensely. Surely we all know of some of our brethren with whom the chapter has lost contact and who have much they can share with our undergraduate membership. I invite you all to visit the Shelter and meet our newest members. I also challenge you to seek out those within your sphere, either geographically or chronologically, and invite them to reconnect. At the very least, ask that they let us know how we can get issues of the Iris to them and keep them apprised with undergraduate and alumni activities going forward. I have been blessed to be able to watch friendships being forged among our growing membership over the years. I have seen how members continue to associate with their cohorts despite the separations that life presents. I know you, too, have benefited from those friendships cast in your formative years at BSU and Epsilon Mu. If you would like to share your experience with our newest members, please contact me at jknox@ bsudelts.org. Or, if you are aware of one of our brethren who would like to reconnect, please share my email address with them. Let them know that we miss them. Fraternally, John Knox '78 House Corporation Secretary jrknox@bsu.edu (Continued from page 1) Enriching the Lives of Delts Epsilon Mu Brothers Embrace

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